Introduction to Peru EL GUABO Community Organic Coffee - Peruvian Organic Coffee Growing Varieties

Peru began exporting coffee in 1887 and is now the eighth-largest coffee-producing country and the world's largest exporter of organic coffee, shipping 2 million bags a year—5% of its total exports. More than one-third of the nation's coffee is grown in the northern Cajamarca region, as well as in Apurímac and Cusco in the south. Farms are predominantly small, averaging no more than 5 hectares. The most common varieties are Bourbon, Typica, Pache, and Caturra.

Coffee cultivation there reaches altitudes of up to 2,200 meters, with many unique microclimates. Much of the coffee is collected for central processing and then sold through cooperatives, currently the mainstream approach for specialty coffee. Over the past decade, the EL GUABO community has developed small-batch coffees on organic principles and frequently holds competitions to reward and certify growers.

Property Characteristics

Farm: EL GUABO Community Organic Coffee

City: EL GUABO

Region: San Ignacio, Cajamarca, Northern Peru

Country: Peru

Altitude: 1,200-1,500 meters

Certification: Organic (OCIA), Shade Grown, Smithsonian Bird Friendly

Coffee Characteristics

Variety: Bourbon, Caturra, Typica

Processing System: Fully Washed and dried on patio

FrontStreet Coffee recommends brewing Peruvian coffee with 88°C water. It opens with rich chocolate sweetness and an obvious depth of flavor, rich and mellow, with a caramel sweetness in the aftertaste.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If you enjoy the clean, sweet, fully washed style that Peru does so well, these FrontStreet lots share that character.

FrontStreet Gotiti Cooperative

A washed single-terroir coffee from Ethiopia's Gotiti village in the Worka area, from a cooperative of about 300 farmers. A fine example of what clean washed processing can do: jasmine florals and bright citrus-lemon acidity, with green tea and honey notes after a medium-light roast. Good for pour-over, cold brew, or espresso.

FrontStreet Kenya Small Tomato

A washed Kenyan single-origin from the Sika region, grown at 1550-1750 meters from SL28 and SL34 and given a 72-hour double washed fermentation. Expect vivid cherry tomato and smoked plum, a full juicy body, and bright, solid acidity with snow pear and black plum in the middle and a clean finish of yellow sugar and green tea.

FrontStreet Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1

Washed to reduce moisture quickly, producing bright, low-defect green beans. In the cup it is balanced and clean, with hazelnut, cream, chocolate, and caramel—no single note dominating. A benchmark for the classic, restrained washed profile.